The Scout Guide Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
The Scout Guide is a local business guide franchise, showcasing and promoting curated local businesses and services in beautifully designed publications.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
94
+
29%
29%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$130,000 - $288,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Established in 2011 in Charlottesville, Virginia, The Scout Guide is a woman-founded franchise that delivers a premium promotional platform for small businesses. Created by Susie Matheson and Christy Ford, the brand has grown its footprint to over 90 U.S. cities, offering a distinctive blend of print and digital exposure for independently owned enterprises.
Franchising since 2013, The Scout Guide empowers local entrepreneurs with the tools to champion the businesses in their area. Each franchisee curates and publishes beautifully designed city guides that are distributed at no cost to households within protected territories.
The Scout Guide’s publications highlight a wide variety of businesses—from interiors and travel to fashion, wellness, and lifestyle—while placing strong emphasis on the individuals behind them.
More than just an advertising service, the franchise fosters genuine community ties by positioning its franchise owners as local connectors, celebrating the spirit and stories of small business ownership.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a The Scout Guide franchise is
$130,000 - $288,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
$0 – $1,000
Computers and Software
$1,000 – $3,000
Insurance
$500 – $1,000
Professional Fees
$3,000 – $5,000
Technology Fee
$2,100
Business Licenses and Permits
$500 – $1,000
Photography
$12,000 – $66,000
Production
$15,500 – $50,000
Printing and Shipping
$26,000 – $75,000
Distribution
$12,000 – $22,000
Additional Funds – 90 days
$7,000 – $12,000
Total
$129,600 – $288,100
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
$0 – $1,000
Computers and Software
$1,000 – $3,000
Insurance
$500 – $1,000
Professional Fees
$3,000 – $5,000
Technology Fee
$2,100
Business Licenses and Permits
$500 – $1,000
Photography
$12,000 – $66,000
Production
$15,500 – $50,000
Printing and Shipping
$26,000 – $75,000
Distribution
$12,000 – $22,000
Additional Funds – 90 days
$7,000 – $12,000
Total
$129,600 – $288,100
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is The Scout Guide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
The Scout Guide had 95 total units in 2025, of which 94 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Scout Guide provides a comprehensive training framework designed to prepare new franchisees for operational success. The program covers both foundational skills and advanced business processes, ensuring each franchisee is well-equipped from launch through ongoing operations.
Initial Training Program This program is mandatory and typically lasts one week, conducted in Charlottesville, Virginia, or online. It includes 13.5 hours of structured content such as business planning, contracts and forms, sales strategies, digital platforms, and compliance operations. Participants receive hands-on guidance and must successfully complete each module to continue with the franchise.
Supplementary Training and Seminars Franchisees may be required to attend additional training sessions either in-person or virtually. These sessions cover updated operational strategies, system enhancements, and are designed to deepen the franchisee's understanding of business management. Fees for these sessions may be charged, along with any applicable travel or accommodation costs.
Operational and Hiring Support The franchisor offers guidance on the type and number of employees to hire and helps with sourcing equipment and supplies. While The Scout Guide provides this foundational support, franchisees are ultimately responsible for all employment decisions and day-to-day operations.
Territory Protection
The Scout Guide franchise offers franchisees an exclusive territory, meaning that within a designated geographic area, the franchisor agrees not to establish another company-owned or franchised outlet selling the same or similar services.
This territorial exclusivity does not depend on the franchisee meeting specific sales targets or market penetration levels. However, the franchisor may reduce the territory size during renewal if population growth warrants subdivision.
Despite this territorial protection, The Scout Guide reserves the right to use other distribution channels, including online platforms, catalog sales, and telemarketing, to conduct business within a franchisee’s territory. These activities may use different trademarks than those authorized for the local franchisee.
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